Anatomy of the foot
The foot is an extremely complex mechanism that makes it capable of adapting to varying surfaces. It consists of as many as 26 bones, 33 joints and numerous muscles and ligaments. The foot is divided into three main areas:
- Midfoot – responsible for cushioning during gait.
- Tarsal bones – their function is to carry the body’s weight.
- Toe bones – providing stability both during walking and standing.
Feet, because of the function they perform, are very vulnerable to daily strain and, consequently, to various types of injuries.
What are the indications for a CT scan of the foot?
As indicated above, the foot is an extremely complex system, so it is not difficult to get injured. Performing an X-ray examination does not always give a definite diagnosis, so in order to deepen the diagnosis, the imaging method using computed tomography is often used.
It is usually performed when a patient reports the following complaints:
- foot pain,
- Mechanical trauma and their complications in the foot,
- inflammation,
- signs of damage to bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- Degenerative changes in the foot,
- cancerous lesions within,
- Overload conditions of the feet,
- Deformities (hallux valgus, hammer toes, etc.).
How should I prepare for a CT scan of the foot?
In the vast majority of cases, the CT examination of the foot does not require the administration of a contrast agent, is quick and completely painless.
You do not need to be fasting or have your creatinine level and eGFR determined when performing this test. It is necessary, as for any CT and ionizing radiation scan, to bring a current referral for the CT ankle examination.